KIERAN Trippier said relegation from the Premier League was his only reason for leaving Burnley, and has thanked manager Sean Dyche for developing him into a top flight player.

The right back will officially join Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, following the end of his Clarets contract, after signing a five-year deal at White Hart Lane.

But he admitted that, while he is excited about his new challenge, he is leaving Turf Moor with a heavy heart after four years with the club, and one promotion.

“Everyone, from the gaffer to the fans themselves, have supported me for four years and I will never forget that,” said Trippier.

“It is devastating to leave Burnley, but I want to play in the Premier League and be the best player I can be.

“I’d like to think I’ve given everything to the club. I always gave 110 per cent.”

Burnley fans feel Trippier has been undervalued at the £3.5million Spurs offer, which triggered a clause in the 24-year-old’s contract.

The club will receive £2.26million because of a 40 per cent sell-on clause to Manchester City, who sold the former England Under-21 international to Burnley for £400,000 in January 201 following a successful loan under Eddie Howe.

“I know a lot has been made of the fee, but I only had a year left last year and I could have run that down and gone on a Bosman (free transfer), but I wanted to sign and give Burnley fans a year in the Premier League,” said Trippier.

“The understanding was that if we were relegated I could leave.

“I was devastated when we got relegated because I didn’t want to leave the club.

“There was a lot going through my mind, but Tottenham came in and when a team that, who are in the Europa League and who finished fifth in the Premier League last season, wants you, you don’t think twice.

“I’ve had so many good messages from the fans and I’m thankful for that.”

But Trippier feels he would not be in this position if it was not for Burnley or, specifically, Dyche.

“I always wanted to play in the Premier League and when the current gaffer came in it changed everything for me, and what a manager he has been for this club,” he said.

“He has changed my game because everyone will know that when he came we were conceding goals for fun.

“When the gaffer came in we did so much defensive work to tighten things up and you only need to look at the year we got promoted, when we had the tightest defence in the Championship.”

He added: “All I wanted to do was be a modern day full back, getting on the ball and putting crosses in the box.

“When Jay (Rodriguez) was here, then Charlie (Austin) and then Sam (Vokes) and Danny (Ings), all I wanted was to help them as much as I could.

“But we were a team and we all helped each other.

“The lads in the dressing room have been brilliant and the gaffer has been outstanding for me personally in my career.

“I’d love to play for him for the rest of my career, but sometimes you have to move on, and although it’s difficult to leave I’m looking forward to the times ahead.”